1. Provident Fund (PF)
Paid every month, by both employee and employer, into the employee's own retirement account. Calculated on basic + DA up to the PF wage ceiling.
The employee gets this money back, with interest, on leaving, retiring, or in specific hardship withdrawals — it's always theirs.
2. ESI
Paid every month, by both employee and employer, but only for employees under the ESI wage threshold. It's medical insurance, not savings — there's no balance to withdraw.
Once someone's gross wage crosses the threshold, ESI stops applying from the next contribution period, not retroactively.
3. Gratuity
Not a monthly deduction at all — it's a lump sum the employer pays when an employee leaves, after a minimum period of continuous service (usually 5 years).
Calculated as 15 days' wages (basic + DA) for every completed year of service, with a statutory ceiling.
4. Try the calculators
Each has its own free calculator — PF, ESI and gratuity — linked from the tools page.